Forest Knowledge Gateway
Forest restoration and integrative management.

How can forest projects engage citizens, landowners, communities and local decision-makers in meaningful ways?

That was the central question of this workshop which provided a platform to exchange experiences, highlight successful approaches, and openly discuss challenges in stakeholder and citizen engagement. 

European forests face growing pressures from climate change, biodiversity loss and changing societal demands. Integrative Forest Management (IFM) offers an approach that combines biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable forest use. But are future forestry professionals adequately prepared?

A survey of forestry educators across 31 European countries found that IFM principles are increasingly reflected in higher education, often integrated into existing courses rather than taught as a dedicated subject. Key priorities include natural regeneration, site-adapted tree species, structurally diverse forests, and the retention of habitat trees and deadwood.

However, important competency gaps remain. Beyond ecological expertise, future foresters need resilience thinking, systems thinking, creativity, teamwork and communication skills to address complex challenges and collaborate across disciplines.

The study highlights opportunities to strengthen forestry education by integrating IFM into existing curricula, expanding specialised training and promoting international exchange. Equipping future professionals with both technical knowledge and collaborative problem-solving skills is essential for building resilient, biodiverse and multifunctional forests.

Habitat trees are retained in managed forests to provide important habitats and enhance biodiversity. This new study examines how habitat tree retention affects the height, basal area and species composition of advance regeneration in continuous-cover forests, which is important for managers aiming to balance biodiversity conservation and timber production objectives.